"I thought our defense let the team down today. Our offense did its job and scored enough points...

"I thought our defense let the team down today. Our offense did its job and scored enough points for us to win. You have to hand it to the Saints – they came out fired up and never gave up. They took it to us. At the end there, we tried to get the offense back on the field. But they (saints) had those two long runs on first down and that was basically it."

Keith Brooking

about 3 years ago Dave Choate 4 comments 0 recs |

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What really sealed the deal

was the kickoff return to the 10 yard line. Killed us. Had they not gotten a score on that drive, it might’ve been a different ball game. The defense never allowed the momentum to stay with us very long.

Smitty’s got his work cut out for him this week.

"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."

by Adam Schultz on Dec 8, 2008 2:37 AM EST reply actions

it wasn't just the defense or special teams

As much as Matt Ryan shined after his first quarter blunders – it was the O-Line that let defenders get to Turner with little effort.

There were a lot of mistakes on the field that are only somewhat correctable. In order to build this team, there are gaps that need to be filled that we won’t get to enjoy seeing until next season.

As at team, we didn’t win this game. I can’t put it on the defense any more than on the special teams or the early mistakes of the offense.

by MentallyMIA on Dec 8, 2008 12:59 PM EST reply actions

Brooking's comments

are admirably candid, but agree with you that the loss was definitely a team effort. All three units ‘contributed’ significantly, in their own way. The whole team let up a little, against a dangerous opponent, with predictable results. Fixing blame on any one unit or play is overthinking it IMO.

by tom slick on Dec 8, 2008 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

I'm with Brooking

I will add in the special teams for the kick return as being partially responsible, but aside from that this loss is on the defense entirely. Did the Saints ever even punt in this game? Ryan played his best game (IMO) as a Falcon just pulling rabbits out of hats and putting on a show to keep the team in this game. Turner was MIA aside from the first drive, and Ice just took this thing over. If the defense had stopped them JUST ONCE, we win this game. I blame the D for this one totally. Let Matty down.

Also, NEVER should have punted that ball the way Ryan was going. The guy was in such a zone you have to ride him. Instead we lose the game wondering what Ryan could have done with that fourth down.

My Music Blog: DBF

by BVaz on Dec 8, 2008 2:01 PM EST reply actions